Nature’s Variety, established in 2001 by Bob Milligan, was founded on the principle of offering diverse dietary options for pets. This philosophy is reflected in their two distinct product lines: Instinct and Prairie. The Instinct line is characterized by grain-free formulas that incorporate raw meat, while the Prairie line offers more conventional, grain-inclusive foods at a lower price point. This review delves into the various offerings within each line, examining their ingredients, nutritional adequacy, and target audience.
Instinct Line: Focusing on Raw and Grain-Free Nutrition
The Instinct line is built around grain-free recipes with a significant raw meat component. This line is further segmented into several categories: Raw Frozen Diets, Freeze-Dried Foods, Supplemental Products, Raw Boost Kibble, Kibble, and Canned foods.
Raw Frozen Diets
Nature’s Variety’s frozen raw diets form the core of the Instinct line, featuring eight distinct formulas: beef, chicken, duck, lamb, rabbit, tuna, turkey, and venison. Some formulas offer single-species protein, while others include a blend of proteins and organs from various animals. These diets consist of 95 percent animal ingredients, including named meats, organs, and ground bone, complemented by vegetables, fruits, and other beneficial ingredients like Montmorillonite clay and cod liver oil. Notably, these diets do not contain vitamin/mineral premixes.
The raw frozen formulas are available in four convenient forms: “raw bites” (nuggets), “raw medallions” (coin-shaped), “raw patties” (8-ounce), and 5-pound “chubs.” All formulas are designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all life stages, meeting AAFCO standards through the “family rule” qualification. Nature’s Variety uses high-pressure processing (HPP) on these products to eliminate pathogenic bacteria, ensuring safety.
Understanding “As Fed” vs. “Dry Matter”
When comparing the nutritional content of different food forms (kibble, canned, dehydrated, frozen-raw), it’s crucial to understand the difference between “as fed” and “dry matter” percentages. “As fed” percentages include moisture content, while “dry matter” calculations remove moisture to provide a more accurate comparison of nutrient density. For example, a raw frozen food might appear to have less protein than a dehydrated food on an “as fed” basis, but on a “dry matter” basis, the raw frozen food often contains more protein. This understanding is vital for preventing over or underfeeding.
Freeze-Dried Foods
Instinct also offers freeze-dried products, including three complete and balanced formulas: beef, chicken, and lamb. These products differ from their raw frozen counterparts in that they require added vitamins and minerals to meet AAFCO standards. They contain similar ingredients but may include a vitamin/mineral pre-mix and a higher percentage of non-animal ingredients, resulting in lower protein and fat content compared to the raw frozen diets when analyzed on a dry matter basis.
Supplemental Products and Raw Boost Kibble
The “Instinct Raw Boost” line includes freeze-dried products intended for supplemental feeding, such as Munchies, Minis Treats, and Mixers. The Raw Boost Kibble line features grain-free kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces mixed in. These foods are formulated with over 70 percent animal ingredients and a balance of vegetables, fruits, and herbs, meeting AAFCO nutrient levels for dogs of all life stages.
Kibble and Canned Offerings
Within the Instinct line, there are several sub-categories of grain-free kibble, including Ultimate Protein Kibble, regular Instinct dry foods, and Limited Ingredient Kibble. These kibbles offer varying protein and fat levels and are formulated to meet AAFCO standards. The Instinct canned foods are pâté-style or loaf products, primarily composed of animal protein sources, with added vegetables and fruits. Recent reformulations have led to slight reductions in protein and fat content in some varieties.
Prairie Line: Conventional Nutrition at a Lower Cost
The Prairie line is Nature’s Variety’s more traditional offering, including grains and priced more affordably than the Instinct foods.
Prairie Kibble and Canned Foods
Prairie offers four kibble formulas (Beef, Chicken, Lamb, and Salmon) that are grain-inclusive and formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient levels for all life stages. These kibbles include a vitamin/mineral premix and list detailed nutrient analyses. The Prairie canned foods, now called Homestyle by Prairie, are stew-style meals with a mix of animal protein sources and carbohydrates like brown rice and sweet potatoes. These canned foods are lower in protein and fat compared to the Instinct canned options but also cost less.
Prairie Biscuits
The Prairie line also includes baked biscuit-style treats in four varieties, free from corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. These treats have moderate protein and fat content.
Overall, Nature’s Variety provides a wide spectrum of food choices to cater to different pet owner preferences and budgets, emphasizing a commitment to variety and quality within both the Instinct and Prairie product lines.